Welcome to your brand NEW weekly Artists Who THRIVE post and to a NEW year.
Today is a fresh start and it’s time to:
- renew or to make new commitments
- let go of the past
- clear out your clutter, including unwanted messages
If you are reading these weekly messages and they are inspiring you to take action or think differently, please let me know.
Last week I took a break from sending this weekly message for the first time in three years. Did you miss it?
If not or if my messages do not resonate with you, and you don’t really read them, then please, unsubscribe below NOW.
It costs money to send you complimentary tips, strategies, stories, and inspiration each week.
If these messages inspire you to take action, then I’m happy to pay for the space that your email requires. You’re worth every penny.
Just in case you’re not clear. Artists Who THRIVE is an art agnostic community. Meaning, this is not a forum for art criticism and we are not looking for ways to navigate the broken, scarcity and permission based art establishment.
Why? Because if you have unique artistic talent and you have something to say to the world, you must make art.
If you want to be heard, you must sell art.
Artists Who THRIVE is designed to help you do just that. Sell art.
Here is the Artists Who THRIVE 8 part credo.
- Artists Who THRIVE destroy the “starving artist” myth.
- Artists Who THRIVE know that they are not going to be discovered and no one is coming to save them.
- Artists Who THRIVE know that “its not all about you, its about them. Make it about them, and it will be all about you.”
- Artists Who THRIVE know that they don’t have a career, they run a business.
- Artists Who THRIVE know who they are and what they stand for. They are on a heart felt mission.
- Artists Who THRIVE secure their creative freedom through business savvy.
- Artists Who THRIVE know that relationships equals revenue.
- Artists Who THRIVE don’t sell art; they create value above and beyond their art.
So again. If you’re down with what Artists Who THRIVE is all about, please share the love and invite two friends to subscribe today.
If you are not, then please unsubscribe NOW and free up space for me and for you.
What do you think? What about Artists Who THRIVE resonates with you? What is your most resent success?
Please post your comments here…
Did you enjoy this article?
Take action today Mark!
You can book a phone consult here….
https://artistswhothrive.com/as-needed-consultations/
Ann,
I subscribe to know that I am not alone.
Your newsletter gives me hope and inspiration that it is yet possible for me to be a thriving artist and not always beaten down with mis-starts, mistakes, or misgivings.
I graduated from The Minneapolis College of Art and Design too many years ago with a major in painting. Having great hopes of being a “real” artist, I had a dose of reality when a visiting artist lectured that most of us would be working as teachers, carpenters, waiters, ad infinitum—not making a living with our art. That was a month before I graduated and when I did graduate I was clueless as to how to make a living by painting. Consequently, I ended up working 35 years as a graphic designer and often thought of myself as a fraud.
I have had help reading lots of books and magazine articles on making art but very few on the business of it.
It wasn’t until I began reading your newsletter that I came to believe that it is possible for me to “make it” as an artist.
You have been coaching me even though I have yet to sign up. (I have in front of me a quote from Julia Cameron [please permit me] —”We attempt to think our way into right actions rather than act our way into right thinking.”)
So, like always, I’m thinking. . .
Maybe I should give you a call.
You’re very welcome!
Good job Jasmine!
You’re welcome!
Hi Ann!
Thank you very much for the time you give to other creatives. If first discovered you after searching for ‘artist entrepreneur’ on YouTube and stumbled across your interview with The Good Life Project. Since then, I have been subscribed to your website and newsletter and I can’t tell you how much it helps me feel like I am on the right path with my thinking and goals!!
I will not create an art career, I will create an art business and I will call myself an artist entrepreneur! That is my goal for 2014, written down, dated, and stuck on my shower door so I read it every day!
After graduating university with a degree in Animation and ‘struggling’ as a freelance illustrator for two years after that, I stopped drawing and painting for several years and was very unhappy (which I didn’t want to admit at the time). I then got comfortable in a full-time retail position (where I still am). However in mid-2013, with encouragement from my partner and family, I picked up a paint brush and started painting. The results since have been awesome! I am happier, focused and passionate again. I just sold my first original artwork and have plans to go crazy this year!
I am currently saving up for your Cross the FINISH Coaching Programs, I’m almost half way.
Thank you again for being accessible to artists. I can’t wait to do what you do, spending your time sharing your experiences and coaching other artists just so they can challenge themselves to get out of their comfort zones and design their own creative life.
Can’t wait for your next email.
Jasmine
I’ve read every single email that you’ve sent me since I subscribed last year and find all the information and practical advice very valueable. I look forward to reading from you again. Thank you
Thanks for the straight talk!
So glad I can help you get your “arse” in gear
I enjoy receiving your weekly emails, I use them as a personal “pep talk” to get my *arse in work mode when I slack off…. I actually have saved about 85% of your emails so I can go back and re-read them, so please do not take me off your list!
I got to quit my “day job” I had for 2 years, as a studio artist last month and went back to my art full time because I do promote, I do get myself out there, I do all the business side and all the art side, I work hard and have plenty of jobs rolling in, I definitely have you to Thank, so THANK YOU Ann!
You’re very welcome Cheryl!
Thanks Ann for sharing your time and expertise in your commitment to helping artists succeed.
I love reading the information-know I have a lot to do and hope to start working with you soon!
Cheryl
Will do Don!
Anne,
Your straight forward and common sense approach to the business side of art makes me look forward to reading your emails each week. Please keep them coming.
I did have a consult telephone call with you that also hit home. I have not signed up for your course because timing is not right to give full commitment but I am practicing your tips.
Don
Will do!
Ann (no e
Anne,
Please, carry on! I felt the absence of our email last week because I’ve gotten used to admiring your consistency, persistence, verve and, yes, success in reaching your goals and setting new ones.
Jack
You’re very welcome!
You’re welcome!
Congratulations Lynn!
Thank you Grace!
There’s no better time that now. I invite you to book a phone consult here…
https://artistswhothrive.com/as-needed-consultations/
Always inspiring! Especially for me… living on a small island. and starting this journey later rather than sooner.
Many, many thanks.
Your dedicated efforts to helping other artists hatch a solid plan for success is admirable and sincerely appreciated, Ann. Many thanks for the affirmations.
~ T.
Hi Ann, I appreciate receiving your posts and tough-love wisdom. I’m determined to make 2014 THE year for me to honor my personal thriving as a professional artist — and — it started with a surprise opportunity to be interviewed on a local radio show about a current series of little paintings I’ve been working on — it was spontaneous, unscripted, brief, but fun! Perhaps a supportive “Go Girl” from the Universe
Dear Ann,
Yes, I had noticed that you didn’t send out a newsletter last week. After reading today’s letter, I wanted to be sure and comment to let you know that I appreciate the value of what you do and definitely WON’T be unsubscribing!
Your advice is so invaluable as a fellow art school grad who learned nothing about the business side of an artistic venture while in school.
I always look forward to your email. I hope to have a phone consultation with you someday- I’ve definitely got questions as I try to make a living with my art.
Thanks again for doing what you do! You are an inspiration.
Happy New Year,
Grace
Theresa,
There are no stated qualifications for coaching so I’m curious about what you think that they are?
Cheers,
Ann
Ann, Thanks for the new newsletter. I hope you had a good holiday season. I was going to email you this weekend because i hadn’t received one of these life/art lessons in some time, was worried, and hoped that you were still going. But now here it is and look forward to hearing from you through these for 2014. HAPPY NEW YEAR and thanks always for all your kind sharing.
Danny
thank you!
I’m a fan. I look forward to reading your posts on Saturday mornings. I always open them and look through them. Thank you for the straight talk and practical advice. Appreciate what you put into the world.
Thank you Lance!
Here you go…
https://www.facebook.com/ArtistsWhoThrive
Dear Ann,
somehow I stumbled on your beautiful site. First let me say it’s magnificent and I’ve only read one post. You say you’ve been doing it for 3 years? I wish I had found you sooner. I can’t wait to go through the past posts and see how it’s evolved. As the husband of a beautiful artist, I find so much value from your words. After all, any life but especially an artists life has many up and many downs.
Now how do I subscribe and are you on facebook?
Will do Tina!
Thank you for unsubscribing Barbara!
You’re very welcome JoAnne!
You’re very welcome!
Thank you Jennifer. What is your SMARTER goal for 2014?
Thank you and congratulations to you!
Yes, I did miss my weekly Artist Who Thrive newsletter. It’s a wonderful weekly check-in with a creative community that thrives on success. Thank you for being a fearless leader. I am fearless, too, especially in my pursuit of my passion. I just published my first book: “When Your Heartbreaks, It’s Opening to Love: healing and finding love after an affair, heartbreak or divorce. It’s on Amazon and I’m launching workshops and retreats. Very exciting!
Blessings,
Joey
Dear Ann, you are the ONLY artist focused newsletter and ‘voice’ I follow and every week I make a point of not only reading what you say, but nodding in agreement…every kernel pops at different time, and 2014 is my year to artistically POP! and I will use your voice as a beacon.
Many thanks and may 2014 be your best thriving year yet!
Jennifer
Will do!
Hi Ann – it’s really very refreshing to come across your attitude and approach – I’m on a major move on my own road in my work and my life – the resonation with your posts is astonishing – but nowadays to me, no longer surprising. Keep up what you do – I’ll try to engage more with contributions where I can
My pleasure!
I really appreciate your letting me know. Thank you
Ms. Rea,
Thank You for all your time and effort you invest in “Artist Who THRIVE”. I think you do an excellent job and very much look forward to any and all your postings.
I like your style of cutting through the BS and voicing what it takes to make it from a professional in the field.
With Gratitude!
Jim
Yes, I am planning on retiring from my nursing career this summer to pursue my art passion and give it the time it needs to grow as a business. I also went to see this artist Jerry Takigawa his exhibit called False Food at the Museum of Craft and Design in SF https://www.takigawadesign . He wrote a small booklet i purchased called Grace in Uncertainty A Designers Search for Meaning . A beautiful and powerful book and I thought of you and how you too are trying to open our eyes! So keep sending me your inspiring emails and I appreciate the time it takes to write these emails and the courage to share them with us.
I woke up this morning, a Saturday your email sits on top of a dozen others. On a daily basis I skim through each email and delete, most are deleted to free space up in my inbox. I personally wondered if this was a marketing strategy to get people to visit the blog here. I probably read the tone of the email in the wrong way. In any case your email does get read as you can see hear but I will be unsubscribing.
you do inspire me! I have to paint and do want to sell art. I read your qualifications for applying and realize I’m not there yet. But soon I will be and then Ill apply for business coaching. Thanks for your help. It moves me forward.
Hi Ann, I always read and am inspired by your words. I am a full-time working artist. I have been actively selling my art at art shows and online for the past 5years and I am in two galleries this year. I am happy with how well my art biz is rolling along, but of course I always want to improve and this year my goal is to earn more by working smarter. That’s why I am always interested in what you say and share your words often on FB . Thank you for the help you give. JoAnne
Artists Who Thrive is one of the few blogs I follow purposefully and subscribe to in my inbox. Sometimes you provide actionable tips that I can apply to my art business. Sometimes it is more of a reminder of the mindset or focus that I need to return to. Whichever it is, it is always helpful.thank you for your efforts.
Thank you for tuning in Jeff!
You may want to apply for MAKING Art Making MONEY to figure out how to make a living selling your art.
Ann,
I have been following you since nearly the beginning of your posts, this is the first time I have ever commented. I have a similar story to yours in that I was out in the working world working in the Architectural field and with the recession I choose to return to school. I had always planned to fit painting into my schedule when I was getting my Architecture degree, but never could and upon returning I took it to discover a hidden talent. I will be graduating in May with my MFA in fine art still not sure where this is all going; I had originally returned to go to law school.
I follow you because I have discovered I have to make art and live in the creative realm. I have run 2 successful businesses of my own at separate times, as well as worked for large corporations and big businesses. I have to figure out a way to make a living selling my art…and thus I follow you for inspiration!
It’s your courage, your unwavering will to not accept what is being offered and finding your own path to success, that has helped me to continue hoping that I will be able to do the same. (Plus, I love the Bay Area)
Keep it up! And yes I did notice you hadn’t posted
Jeff